Process for preparing 1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one) hydrochloride

Abstract

This invention provides a process for preparing gemcitabine hydrochloride which comprises deblocking β-1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one with a catalytic amount of an alkylamine in the presence of methanol or ethanol in an environment essentially free of water; treating the resulting solution with hydrochloric acid and an antisolvent; and recovering the resulting solid gemcitabine hydrochloride.

I claim: 
     
       1. A process for preparing gemcitabine which comprises: deblocking β-1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one with a catalytic amount of an alkylamine in the presence of methanol or ethanol in an environment essentially free of water.   
     
     
       2. A process for preparing gemcitabine which comprises: a) deblocking β-1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one with a catalytic amount of an alkylamine in the presence of methanol or ethanol in an environment essentially free of water; and   b) recovering the resulting gemcitabine.   
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the alkylamine is diethylamine. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the deblocking is conducted in the presence of methanol. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 4 wherein approximately 15-25 mL of methanol is used per gram of β-1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin -2-one. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 5 wherein approximately 20 mL of methanol is used per gram of β1-(2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein the β-1-(2'-deoxy -2',2'-difluoro-3',5'-di-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-aminopyrimidin-2-one is generated in situ from 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-3,5-dibenzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl-1-methanesulfonate and cytosine. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein approximately 10-20 mL of methanol is used per gram of 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro-3,5-dibenzoyl-D-ribofuranosyl-1-methanesulfonate.